37. Graduation Gift Ideas
“Graduation is a liminal time — a transition from one phase to another — and the right gift can both acknowledge that moment and help set someone up for what comes next.”
🎓 Graduation Gift Ideas for Every Graduate and Budget
In this timely episode, Tara Conti Bansal and Christina Conti Donovan dive into the whirlwind of graduation season, sharing personal stories, favorite traditions, and dozens of creative and meaningful gift ideas for high school and college grads. Whether you're shopping for your own child, a godchild, a family friend, or a neighbor, Tara and Tina offer insights that blend sentimentality with practicality — perfect for marking one of life's biggest transitions.
🎁 Topics Covered:
Personal Graduation Memories: Watches, teddy bears, class rings, and sentimental keepsakes that stood the test of time.
High School vs. College Gifts: Why it's easier to shop for high school grads and when to opt for cash.
Classic & Practical Gift Ideas:
Jewelry, luggage, digital photo frames
Toolboxes, monogrammed items, travel accessories
Coffee makers, electric kettles, portable steamers, and power banks
Thoughtful Personal Touches:
Personalized quote books or Shutterfly creations
Music playlists with shared memories
Framed photo collages from school years
Top Book Recommendations:
Make Your Bed – William McRaven
This is Water – David Foster Wallace
How to Be a Grownup – R. Grimberg
The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
Designing Your Life – Burnett & Evans
…and many more
Financially Savvy Gifts:
Roth IRA starter contributions
Gift cards or money with a meaningful token
Financial planning session(s) for new grads
Gender and Age Considerations:
Why shopping for boys or college grads can be trickier
Gender-neutral and location-based gift ideas (e.g. city guidebooks)
Creative Pairings:
Stationery with pens for thank-you notes
Money inside keepsake boxes, mugs, or cookbooks
Combining sentimental and practical into one thoughtful package
✨ Tara and Christina remind us that graduation gifts don’t have to be extravagant — the best gifts are thoughtful, useful, or personally significant. Whether you’re leaning practical or nostalgic, this episode will help you celebrate your graduate meaningfully and memorably.
-
[00:22] Tara Bansal: Hi, this is Tara Conti Bansal, and I want to welcome you to season two of our podcast, Messy Middlescence.
[00:30] My sister Christina Conti Donovan and I are in the thick of midlife and trying to help ourselves and others to learn about and hopefully thrive in this unique phase of life.
[00:42] Like adolescence, Middlescence is a time of tremendous change,
[00:47] touching almost every aspects of our lives.
[00:50] There are the physical and hormonal changes,
[00:53] but also many of the rhythms, relationships and frameworks that have dominated our lives for decades all start to shift in various ways.
[01:03] Tina and I are figuring this out as we go, and we hope you will join us as we dive into and discuss topics and ideas that will help all of us grow and understand this special midlife phase and how to live it better,
[01:17] more meaningfully and joyfully, one day at a time.
[01:22] Christina Donovan: Hello, this is Christina or Tina Conti Donovan, and I am here with my sister,
[01:30] Tara Conti Bansal.
[01:32] And our topic today is graduation gifts. It's that time of year.
[01:39] We are recording this in the beginning of May,
[01:42] and we are at that age, middle age, where all of a sudden everyone you know is graduating, either graduating high school or graduating college.
[01:54] If you have kids, your kids might be graduating, but even if you don't have kids, chances are you have neighbors or friends who have kids who are graduating. You have family,
[02:06] nieces, nephews.
[02:08] So it's just. Yeah, it's one of those things that as you hit your mid-40s,
[02:13] it becomes a big deal.
[02:16] And one of the things that comes along with graduations is graduation gifts,
[02:21] which can be difficult.
[02:23] So we thought we would spend a bit of time today discussing graduation gifts, possible ideas and suggestions,
[02:32] what we have found we like to do or works for us or.
[02:37] Tara's kids are younger, but I've had two kids have graduated high school. One is graduated, graduated college. So kind of what they got that we thought was great.
[02:48] So, yeah,
[02:49] this will be a quick episode, but hopefully we'll give you some inspiration and ideas as you head into graduation season.
[02:58] Tara Bansal: Yeah,
[02:59] I mean, and this year for the Conti, I call them the Conti Cousins, we have two graduating from college and three, three graduating from high school.
[03:12] So my parents have five people graduating in basically almost the next month. I'm also going to add for me experience when we graduated,
[03:23] like what I liked and didn't like and ideas from that from, oh, so long ago.
[03:31] Christina Donovan: Well, maybe we should start with that. What do you remember receiving as a graduation gift that stands out?
[03:38] Tara Bansal: I think I still have from my high high school graduation I got a beautiful citizen's watch that I still have.
[03:49] And I feel like a watch or jewelry especially,
[03:52] I mean a watch can apply to men or women, but is a common graduation gift. I like to think of,
[04:03] you know, a graduation gift as something marking that milestone and hopefully something they're going to keep that. I know that's not necessarily true,
[04:12] but the fact that I still have my,
[04:15] my gold citizens watch from my high school graduation.
[04:20] And the other was before we went away to college.
[04:27] Our parents gave at least each of the girls this large,
[04:33] not giant,
[04:34] but large Gund bear that I still have and still sleep with.
[04:43] And so I don't know, I, I was journaling about this be. I think, because I do, I love my bear. And when,
[04:52] when we went away,
[04:54] it was something, you know, to remind you of.
[04:57] Christina Donovan: Yeah, it was sort of.
[05:01] Tara Bansal: A stand in.
[05:02] Christina Donovan: Yeah.
[05:04] When you looked at it, you could see the love,
[05:07] you know, of our parents and our family and.
[05:10] Yeah, it was somebody to hug or cry into or.
[05:16] So, yeah,
[05:17] that was a tradition in our house that.
[05:20] Yeah, I don't think they continued that with the boys.
[05:23] Tara Bansal: I think, yeah, I don't think they did either. But what do you remember from your graduations?
[05:31] Christina Donovan: Well, similarly, I mean, I got a gold watch as well, which was beautiful and I love. But I have bad luck with jewelry and the back of it fell off at some point and I still have it, but.
[05:43] And I've actually tried to see if it could get repaired, but it cannot.
[05:49] So it is no longer a functioning watch. But I also got a class ring from our college,
[05:57] Lafayette College, which I love,
[06:01] I still wear regularly. And I think of the seven of us, I'm the only one that has a class ring.
[06:11] Tara Bansal: I think that could be true. And I don't even know if they do high school class rings anymore. They do. Yeah.
[06:19] Christina Donovan: I just,
[06:21] I have never.
[06:22] I couldn't get any of my kids to be interested in a high school class ring. And I thought maybe college, a college ring. But no, they, they seem to be.
[06:32] Tara Bansal: So far, no.
[06:33] Christina Donovan: Yeah, so far no. And so. Yeah, but, but yeah, that is the one thing I remember from my college graduation that I still wear regularly in love. Yeah.
[06:47] Tara Bansal: I mean, the other that stands out to me as a good gift is a digital frame.
[06:56] Whether you're leaving high school and going to college or leaving college and going out into the world, if you don't have a digital frame to have pictures that you love and be able to,
[07:09] you know, that you could get different sizes or different things.
[07:13] Do you do your kids Have a digital frame. And is that something they used?
[07:18] Christina Donovan: Yes,
[07:20] that I think is a really common.
[07:22] I think it's more a high school for kids going to college gift.
[07:29] Although I guess if you didn't have one in college and, you know,
[07:33] it may be a good gift for a college graduate. But yes, both my children,
[07:38] both of my high school graduates received that as a graduation gift.
[07:43] And I think it's been. Yeah. Something they both have enjoyed having and there's several good ones out there. I know my kids all have Nick's plays because we're all. So we're all on the same brand,
[07:59] but I know the Aura Carver is another Carver is another highly rated good frame.
[08:07] Tara Bansal: Yeah, there's one other frame. I can't think of the name of it, but I'll try to maybe put it in the show notes if I can think of it later.
[08:15] I mean, Tina, one thing I love that you do for when your kids graduated high school was do pictures of them each year from.
[08:27] Christina Donovan: Yeah, and I think that's a really common.
[08:30] I mean, I see it on Facebook and I mean, I certainly didn't think of it, but most,
[08:35] most parents have a first day of school picture or even if you have. If you purchased your school pictures,
[08:44] you know, so. Yeah. And they actually sell them where, you know, you can make a garland out of each of the 12 years of starting at kindergarten through their senior year.
[08:57] And yeah, that's a nice.
[08:59] Definitely for graduation of high school, you know,
[09:03] to have that.
[09:04] Tara Bansal: Yeah, I think that's fun.
[09:07] Christina Donovan: Yeah. I mean, I think when you look at graduation gifts,
[09:12] it's generally true. I mean, you don't want to generalize too much, but it's easier to buy for girls than it is for boys. And I think it's easier to buy for high school students who are graduating and going to college than it is for college graduates.
[09:31] And I think generally,
[09:34] I don't mean to say that you don't give college graduation gifts to people,
[09:40] to student or to people.
[09:43] But I know us as just in the neighborhood we live in and with our kids friends. We gave high school graduation gifts to a lot of people that we knew, whether it was friends of our children or neighbors or family.
[10:00] But for college, it tends to be, I think, mostly family.
[10:04] I don't know that's generally. Or like if you have a godchild or a family friend who.
[10:11] Family friends that are very close. But I know, for instance, my son is graduating college this weekend and all of his circle of high school friends that he still keeps in touch with and that we see their parents regularly are all graduating too.
[10:27] But right now, I mean, we're not really planning on giving gifts. Gifts for those.
[10:34] And if they have a graduation, a college graduation party, again, that's a little different. If you're invited to a party, you should bring a gift. But.
[10:41] Tara Bansal: And what would you give to these friends or their friends, kids for high school graduation.
[10:48] Christina Donovan: Right. And I think people aren't going to want, want to hear this, but the best gift is cash. Yeah. I hate to say it, but that's.
[10:56] Tara Bansal: What I feel like that's the norm. Then they can choose and write.
[11:00] Christina Donovan: And I guess the other thing, I know we started doing this when my first one graduated. I recommend buying, they sell. You can buy like a 10 pack of graduation cards or a six pack of graduation cards.
[11:16] Buy a pack of them. It'll save you a lot of money in the long run because it's almost the same price as like one Hallmark card or whatever. And they are very generic.
[11:25] But for high school graduations, you're going to be invited to a lot of parties. Your kids are going to be invited to a lot of parties and to just have a pack of cards that is available.
[11:36] And I'm not saying you wouldn't probably use one of those on a niece or a nephew or, you know, somebody that you're especially close with. But I would recommend doing that in right now, like before they even start.
[11:49] So you have it and then, yeah, just get your checkbook ready.
[11:53] And gift cards, too. I know that kids like to receive gift cards as well,
[11:59] especially for high school students.
[12:01] That seems to be the norm.
[12:03] The one thing I will say is even if you're giving cash, if it's to someone that you're closer to,
[12:14] sometimes you can give the cash with a small something else.
[12:19] And there's a lot of great books out there that I think you can give as a gift that aren't that expensive. They tend to be smaller. And, you know, you can do that with a check.
[12:30] We've also seen, you know, you can get like a Stanley mug or something like that in school colors. If they're graduating, you know, high school, you could get their high school colors.
[12:40] If they're graduating college, you could put a check in that.
[12:44] There's also very, very nice,
[12:48] like pouches. I don't know that. Like zippered pouches. Sometimes you can get them. If somebody from college, you can get one that has like the school name.
[12:58] I know here, where we live in eastern Pennsylvania,
[13:01] some of the local merchants have it with like the zip code or,
[13:05] you know, our. Our city name. So it's like a remembrance of where they're coming from that you can put cash in.
[13:12] So, yeah, there's different things you can do with the cash instead of just if you don't feel comfortable just giving a.
[13:19] Um.
[13:20] Tara Bansal: I mean, that's the other. It's like a nice pen or a journal or something small to give. Yeah.
[13:29] Christina Donovan: Um,
[13:30] and this could be done for high school or college if they're moving away in terms of going away for college or they've accepted a job and they're moving away. Sometimes if there's, like, a city guidebook for where they're going.
[13:45] Um, like, we have friends that their son went to Boston. And,
[13:49] like, we have a. We know Boston well. We. There's a. A guide that we. We like. And so, like, we purchased that and gave money with that.
[13:57] So. Yeah, I think that's. And, like, my son is moving to Idaho after he graduates, so we are getting him a little Idaho guide for that area. So that's something, too, that, you know, is a possibility as well, in terms of.
[14:13] Tara Bansal: Yeah, I like that idea. What books do you usually give? I have a bunch.
[14:19] Tara Bansal: Just.
[14:20] Christina Donovan: Yeah, I figured you have it. A list, Tara. I mean, for high school,
[14:25] like, you can give. I see this a lot. And I know our brother got this, like, just a fun.
[14:30] Like, oh, the places you'll go. Like, Dr. Seuss is a classic high school. There's also the naked roommate and 107 other issues you might run into.
[14:42] That's by Harlan Cohen. And that's.
[14:44] It's a pretty famous book, but it's a reason a lot of people receive that as a gift. And it's good.
[14:53] I also think this is one that our mother quotes.
[14:57] Make youe Bed by Admiral William McRaven.
[15:01] He did the commencement speech at University of Texas. And it can be. It's not about going to college, so it can be given to a high school student regardless of their path.
[15:13] And I think that's a real classic one.
[15:16] I mean, those are the ones for high school that I think I would recommend. What about you, Tara? Do you have any specifically for high school?
[15:24] Tara Bansal: Not really for high school.
[15:27] I mean, besides the ones you listed. The one.
[15:32] It's funny, the one I was planning on giving Jim was the Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin,
[15:40] and it got such awful reviews,
[15:43] I decided not to give it.
[15:46] But it's Gretchen Rubin. I'm a big Gretchen Rubin fan. It's like her short little phrases to live by.
[15:56] And I. I mean, we used to have.
[16:00] Tara Bansal: I can't.
[16:01] Tara Bansal: It was like a father's words of advice to him.
[16:04] Christina Donovan: Life's little instruction book.
[16:05] Tara Bansal: Yeah, life's little instruction book,
[16:07] which I liked very much. And that's what I imagine this book is like.
[16:13] I know in our family,
[16:16] like, Tina, you did a book of quotes and pictures for,
[16:21] you know,
[16:22] when Maggie graduated,
[16:24] Right?
[16:25] Christina Donovan: Yeah, I was going to talk about that. I mean, I think if you have time. It's not something I would venture into,
[16:32] you know, if your child is graduating or,
[16:35] you know, a niece or nephew is graduating in the next week, but if you have time. Time.
[16:40] We created a Shutterfly book using quote. And not just quotes. We used quotes, poems, prayers,
[16:49] advice.
[16:50] I mean, what ran kind of a gamut of different small sayings, I guess. And yeah, we created a Shutterfly book. Not with photos, just with the quotes and then designs and kind of stickers and things.
[17:05] And I think that's a really great gift. It's very personal and it's not very expensive. And again, I think it's something you hope that they will keep,
[17:17] you know, for the rest of their lives.
[17:19] Tara Bansal: The other.
[17:21] Which I love that you did that. And like you said, it does take some time and effort and planning.
[17:27] There's the,
[17:29] like, portrait of them books or, like, what I love about you,
[17:35] that they give you prompts and you can fill them out. You can.
[17:39] And that's another one.
[17:41] Christina Donovan: Big fans of those. Yeah,
[17:43] that.
[17:44] I mean, in terms of college books or books for college graduates, I do have a couple recommendations.
[17:51] This is probably. It sounds similar to the Gretchen Rubin, although I know a lot of college graduates that receive it and like it. It's called how to Be a Grownup.
[18:01] It's by Raffi Grimberg.
[18:04] And he actually,
[18:05] it's based on his. He taught a course at Boston College called Adulthood 100.
[18:11] Tara Bansal: Oh, wow.
[18:12] Christina Donovan: The description of it is the practical guide to adult life's greatest mysteries that were never taught in school but should have been. And it's sort of like the 14 essential skills like you need to be an adult.
[18:24] So that is a good one for college graduates.
[18:28] I also love all that Happiness is by Adam Gopnik. He is a favorite New Yorker author. He's a journalist for the New Yorker, and he has several books. But that one, I think, is particularly great for college graduates.
[18:46] I think the Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel is a great gift for college seniors.
[18:56] And the other one I would recommend is. It's actually called this is Water by David Foster Wallace. It's small.
[19:04] You can still get it in hardback. It's not very long.
[19:07] And it is his commencement speech that he gave to Kenyon College. And it.
[19:12] It's kind of about noticing the little things, I guess, in life. But it definitely. I know Maggie received that when she graduated, and it's definitely worth a read and something I think college graduates might keep.
[19:26] Tara Bansal: Yeah,
[19:28] mine are if you have a child not going on to college, but.
[19:33] And one that is graduating from college. I'm a huge fan of Designing your life. I've talked about it before, but it's like trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up and how to, you know, even look for jobs and things like that.
[19:49] That's written by two Stanford professors.
[19:52] It'll be in the show notes. I can't think of their name off the top of my head.
[19:56] Life worth Living. I have not read this yet, but it's come from a great source and got really excellent reviews that kind of like how to,
[20:12] I don't know, live a more meaningful life for yourself and listening to yourself.
[20:18] Martha Beck's Finding your North Star.
[20:21] Your own North Star.
[20:23] And another one is the five types of wealth that,
[20:28] you know, just instead of just finances, like time, wealth and health wealth.
[20:33] And once again, like,
[20:37] bigger picture kicking you off, you know, in this new new world ahead.
[20:45] Those were some of the books that I like and recommend.
[20:50] One of my favorite gifts was dad gave me a toolbox.
[20:57] Christina Donovan: I don't know if that's on my list, too. Yeah,
[21:01] and that's where, I mean, I think,
[21:02] you know, we talked about how girls are easier to shop or buy for than boys. And I do think high school students are easier to shop for than college graduates.
[21:13] But I think for college students who have a job and are moving out, you know,
[21:19] especially if they're moving to, like, a new area or city where they'll be away from,
[21:24] you know, their parents or their family. A toolbox is a great idea. Cookware is a great idea.
[21:31] One of the things, too,
[21:35] they're very popular with that age group right now, is called the class pass. Have you ever heard of that, Terry?
[21:42] No.
[21:43] And it's basically.
[21:45] It's almost.
[21:47] It's a membership card.
[21:50] We'll have a link to it, but it gives you access to all different kinds of gyms and fitness centers and classes so that, like, you can go and try different classes, different fitness classes, and, like, it's.
[22:04] It's done by a series of credits. So, like, if you're moving to a new city and you have a class pass, you could try out different classes and gyms or fitness areas and, you know, find one that seems to really suit you before you make a commitment or so.
[22:22] Yeah, that is definitely something that I think particularly for college graduates. My oldest, Maggie has used it. Has one. Has. Has gotten it, I think as a gift and has used it and I don't know, it's her.
[22:38] Their friends get very excited about the class pass. So it's something that I'd never heard of, but it is a nice idea for someone who's moving to a new city or,
[22:49] you know, somewhere they've never been before.
[22:51] Tara Bansal: I mean, on that theme is a classic cookbook.
[22:56] I mean, a lot of now I feel like different people start cooking earlier, but like America's Test Kitchen or,
[23:05] you know, the.
[23:06] Is it the Better Homes and Gardens? You know, just like a classic all over cookbook that you can look up. I know you can get a lot online,
[23:14] but some of the basics of how to do different things and maybe even that's so passe just with YouTube and everything, this group thing, I think.
[23:23] Christina Donovan: So I don't know, as a resource, they're almost like a cooking reference book, I guess is how I would think of it.
[23:30] Tara Bansal: I mean, luggage, I think is enough.
[23:34] Christina Donovan: You have a college graduate or even a high school graduate that will be traveling or wants to travel. There's lots of great gifts around that.
[23:43] Luggage is the classic gift. And it's. I feel like it's. People don't give that as much, but I think it is a really great.
[23:51] It's an investment,
[23:52] you know, that a piece that they'll use forever and they'll remember, you know,
[23:59] receiving it.
[24:00] Along those lines, I mean, you can do like a monogrammed passport holder or along with that, like a luggage tag. A nice monogrammed luggage tag is also something that could be considered on the sentimental side.
[24:16] Tara Bansal: Just creating a playlist.
[24:19] Christina Donovan: Hmm, That's a nice idea.
[24:22] Tara Bansal: Yeah.
[24:23] Christina Donovan: And again, that's something, if you're giving cash, you know, kind of personalizes it.
[24:29] Tara Bansal: A little, you know, Special.
[24:30] Christina Donovan: Yeah, a little more special. Yeah. Especially if you have similar taste in music or you have memories associated with certain songs with that, you know, that person.
[24:41] I know for high schoolers,
[24:43] particularly college bound high school seniors,
[24:47] you know, there's a sort of a standard number of gifts that I think are always appreciated.
[24:55] Like a portable power bank,
[24:57] you know, like a power charger is one portable steamer for both men and women is a good.
[25:04] They take up no space and you don't need an ironing board or Monogram stationery for all those thank you notes they're going to have to write after graduating. Graduating and particularly more for girls.
[25:25] They have really nice travel jewelry cases that are not very expensive that again, sometimes you can get monogrammed.
[25:32] But they're really nice, useful, practical gift that will also, you know, they'll probably keep for a while.
[25:40] Tara Bansal: Not everyone is comfortable with this, but if a child has had any money earned that gets reported on a, you know, 1099 or W2,
[25:54] they can qualify for opening a Roth IRA.
[25:59] And I think you can open a Roth IRA with as little as 50 or $100.
[26:05] And the big thing is just once you open it and start the clock ticking in five years, you can take out your contribution with no tax consequences. Not the earnings, but just, you know, the contribution.
[26:21] But that's something I like just of like,
[26:26] you know, as an investment for them to start planning for their future and for just thinking about it.
[26:33] Christina Donovan: I mean, you know. Yeah, I think it's kind of giving them a gentle nudge in the right way. Yeah.
[26:39] Tara Bansal: Of start saving and it can make a huge difference.
[26:42] I don't know that many would do this, but would be like a consultation with a financial planner for an hour or two of just like all those questions they may have when they start their new job.
[26:55] So for those, you know, when they do start a job,
[27:00] getting some help to get off on the right foot.
[27:02] Christina Donovan: Yeah, I think that's a terrific idea.
[27:05] Tara Bansal: The other is like, I guess it's a hot plate or just a water boiler.
[27:13] Christina Donovan: Those electric tea kettle.
[27:15] Tara Bansal: Yeah, electric tea kettle. I feel like in college that's really helpful. And depending on where you live, if you have a lot of roommates, you may just want that in your own space.
[27:26] Christina Donovan: Similarly, I mean even just like they smell,
[27:29] they sell the small Keurigs which,
[27:33] you know, if, if they are a coffee drinker,
[27:37] it's an easy way to kind of have that in the dorm room or in a small apartment without, you know,
[27:44] having to have a big coffee maker or store coffee. You know, you can just the pods keep for a long time. And that's a nice addition too.
[27:53] Tara Bansal: Yeah.
[27:54] And it's trying to even just a book that you love or a poetry book or something that you think they may love. I think that is also just some of the thought behind it to give as another idea.
[28:12] But I agree. I honestly think often money is the best at this time. But try to think of some sentimental or little other things you can give in addition.
[28:26] But that's all I had teen Yeah.
[28:29] Christina Donovan: I mean, I think there's lots of jewelry for girls. I guess that's the one thing. You know, they have little bracelets that you can get the name of the high school or the college.
[28:43] There's pendants, medallions, charms, like,
[28:47] for girls. I feel like there's a lot. And I mean, some boys do wear jewelry. I know that. Yeah.
[28:53] Tara Bansal: Like a medal or.
[28:55] Christina Donovan: Right. Or even a gold chain. Like, if they're so inclined that you think they may like that. There is. You know,
[29:01] my children would not be interested in that. But I do think that there are certainly people out there that may enjoy that or want that. And again, that's something that they could keep and remember.
[29:14] Graduation.
[29:15] Tara Bansal: By anything from your college graduation that you remember that you got.
[29:20] Christina Donovan: I mean, mostly my ring.
[29:23] That's the big thing that stands out for me. I know when I graduated, a group of us went to Ocean City, Maryland,
[29:33] for.
[29:34] I don't think it was a full week, but maybe it was. I don't remember, but I know my parents gave me some money towards that to put towards that as well.
[29:44] Yeah.
[29:45] Tara Bansal: Yeah. And that's. I think often a lot of times graduating people do go on trips somewhere. And so having,
[29:55] like, saying this money either to buy something from that trip or to use it on your trip is another idea.
[30:04] Christina Donovan: And that's making a worthwhile memory, too.
[30:07] Every once in a while, one of those pictures from that Ocean City trip will pop up, like, in my circle of college friends. And it's like, ooh,
[30:17] it was a fun week. But,
[30:18] yeah, it's funny. Those pictures always make us laugh. I don't know why. Those pictures are just really funny from that time.
[30:25] Tara Bansal: Yeah.
[30:26] But this is a.
[30:29] It's the right liminal time, like going from one phase to another,
[30:35] and to mark that milestone in whatever way you think,
[30:41] you know,
[30:42] one, to acknowledge it, but two, just to try to help set them up in any way for the next phase that you can. Yeah.
[30:49] Christina Donovan: And that's where I do think,
[30:51] you know, the. The realm of gifts ranges from, like, the most practical in terms of cash to, like, the most sentimental or memento type.
[31:02] And, I mean, there's a whole range in between. And I think it does depend on the person you're buying from and your relationship to them. All those things need to be taken into consider.
[31:15] Tara Bansal: But. Yeah. Well, I hope this gave you all some interesting ideas and is helpful.
[31:22] Christina Donovan: Maybe it made you think about your own high school graduation or possibly your own college graduation. Brought back some happy memories.
[31:31] Tara Bansal: Yeah.
[31:32] All right.
[31:34] Thank you.
[31:35] Enjoy the busy may. I feel like this is a busy time of year but wishing you the best.
[31:43] Today there is no formal recommendation because we felt like this whole episode was multiple recommendations around graduation gifts.
[31:55] There will be all of the links in our show notes for you to be able to see the details and get to our recommendations from this episode on our website messymiddlesence.com and then go to the episode and then under there is a section for the recommendations that will have all of our links.
[32:20] We hope this was helpful. We would also love to hear some of your favorite graduation gifts that you received or that you give.
[32:31] Christina Donovan: Thanks for show notes and other information about our podcast please Visit our website messymiddlesence.com if you enjoyed listening. Please help spread the word about our podcast by sending a link to a family member or friend and don't forget to leave a positive rating or review for us.
[32:51] As always, we hope you will return for more.
-
🎓 Graduation Gift Ideas (Chronological Order)
Sentimental Keepsakes
Watches: A timeless gift symbolizing the passage of time and new beginnings.
Teddy Bears: A comforting memento for graduates.
Class Rings: A traditional keepsake representing school pride.
Personalized Items
Monogrammed Jewelry: Custom pieces like bracelets or necklaces with initials.
Personalized Quote Books: Books filled with inspirational quotes tailored to the graduate.
Photo Collages: Framed collections of memorable moments.
Practical Gifts
Luggage Sets: Essential for graduates embarking on new journeys.
Digital Photo Frames: Display cherished memories in a modern way. Examples include Nixplay or
Toolboxes: A handy kit for everyday fixes.
Monogrammed Items: Personalized towels, robes, or bags.
Travel Accessories: Items like neck pillows or travel organizers.
Coffee Makers & Electric Kettles: Perfect for caffeine-loving grads.
Portable Steamers: Keep clothes wrinkle-free on the go.
Power Banks: Ensure devices stay charged during busy days.
Creative Pairings
Stationery with Pens: Encourage handwritten thank-you notes.
Money in Keepsake Boxes or Mugs: Combine practicality with sentiment.
Cookbooks with Kitchen Tools: Inspire culinary adventures.
Examples Include -
Financial Gifts
Roth IRA Contributions: Start their financial journey early.
Gift Cards: Versatile options for various needs.
Financial Planning Sessions: Set them up for fiscal responsibility.
Book Recommendations
Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss (classic keepsake)
Make Your Bed by Admiral William McRaven: Lessons on life and leadership.
This is Water by David Foster Wallace: Thought-provoking commencement speech.
How to Be a Grownup by R. Grimberg: Guidance for young adults.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: Insights into financial behavior.
Designing Your Life by Burnett & Evans: Tools for building a fulfilling life.
All That Happiness Is by Adam Gopnik: Explorations of joy and contentment.
Life’s Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.: Advice for daily living.
Gender and Age Considerations
City Guidebooks: Tailored to the graduate's new location.
Gender-Neutral Gifts: Items like journals or tech accessories.
OR
Graduation Gift Ideas Checklist
💖 Meaningful & Sentimental
☐ Jewelry with school initials or name (bracelets, pendants, class rings)
☐ Personalized quote book or Shutterfly photo book
☐ Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss (classic keepsake)
☐ Playlist of favorite songs or family memories
☐ Graduation bear or stuffed animal for comfort
☐ Monogrammed stationery or travel jewelry case
🧰 Practical & Useful
☐ Tool kit or toolbox
☐ Luggage set or monogrammed tags
☐ Portable power bank or phone charger
☐ Electric kettle or mini Keurig coffee maker
☐ Cash or gift cards in creative packaging
☐ Roth IRA contribution (if eligible)
☐ Stationery + pen set for thank-you notes
📚 Books & Wisdom
Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss (classic keepsake)
Make Your Bed by Admiral William McRaven: Lessons on life and leadership.
This is Water by David Foster Wallace: Thought-provoking commencement speech.
How to Be a Grownup by R. Grimberg: Guidance for young adults.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: Insights into financial behavior.
Designing Your Life by Burnett & Evans: Tools for building a fulfilling life.
All That Happiness Is by Adam Gopnik: Explorations of joy and contentment.
Life’s Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.: Advice for daily living.